Emmanuelle was the daughter of Jeanne Fernande (Nourdin), a seamstress, and René Alfred Riva, a signwriter. Her father was of half Italian and half French descent. Her mother was French, and came from a family of Alsatian farmers.

Emmanuelle’s paternal grandfather was Alfred Riva (the son of Charles Riva and Angèle Franzetti). Alfred was born, c. 1877, in Monvalle, Province of Varese, Lombardy, Italy.

Emmanuelle’s paternal grandmother was named Marie-Eugénie Hacquard.

Emmanuelle’s maternal grandfather was named Jules Constant Nourdin.

Emmanuelle’s maternal grandmother was Marie Amélie Hollard (the daughter of Sébastien Antoine Hollard and Marie Joséphine Demangeon). Sébastien was the son of Sébastien Antoine Hollard and Marie Françoise Rivat. Marie Joséphine was the daughter of Jean Baptiste Demangeon and Marie Catherine Didier.